The first Shottsville Methodist Church was made from hewn
logs. The roof was of cypress boards and wooden pegs were used for nails. It
was located about two miles north of the present location and was called New
Bethel. The building was about twenty four feet by twenty four feet with a door
on each side. Church Services and school were held in the which was erected
sometime around 1840. The Chickasaw Indians had not all been rounded up and
sent to Indian Territory (Present day Oklahoma) and men stood guard with rifles
outside the church building while services were being held inside.

In 1836 the Reids and Stones moved here from South Carolina
and the church was established in 1837. John Stone may have been the first
member. John Stone and his Sons-in-laws claimed the Indian land and settled
here. Early residents were the Emersons, Robinsons, Shotts’, and Risingers (The
Risingers moved to Texas in 1850 and none of them are buried in the Shottsville
Cemetery). They came from Lawrence County and settled along Bull Mountain
Creek. The preacher was a circuit rider who preached at different churches every
day. John Arnold was a pastor during the Civil War who marked everyone off the
church roll who had relatives go north during the Civil War. John Cowden was
the preacher around 1892 and stayed in Hamilton. Samuel Reid was an early class
leader.

The Shottsville Cemetery was started in 1840 with the grave
of John Stone’s little daughter. His wife was buried here in 1846 and was the
first adult burial in the cemetery. There are over 400 graves now in the
cemetery. Around 1875, the church was moved to it’s present site beside the
cemetery. The first church sat just west of the present building on land owned
by Mack Shotts. It was a frame house and the people came to church in covered
wagons brawn by oxen. Some came a long way for the Saturday Night Service and
spent the night in their wagons to be there for Sunday Services. Later many
traveled by horseback and the ladies has side saddles and riding skirts. There
were places at the church to tie the horses and blocks from which to mount and
dismount a horse.

In the late 1880’s, Bexar, New Bethel and Bethlehem were
designated the Bexar Circuit and was supplied a pastor from the Methodist
Conference. Smyrna, Which was on the Hamilton Charge, was added in 1908 and the
charge became a four point circuit and remained a four point circuit until 1985
when Bethlehem became a full time station church and was supplied a full time
pastor.

In 1908 a shingled two-story
building which served as a school and Oddfellows Lodge. This building was
destroyed by fire in 1927 and a new church was built when the Reverend T. A.
Hancock was on the circuit. The church was lighted by kerosene lamps set on
brackets along each side wall (3 on each side) and a gas chandelier which hung
over the pulpit. The church was heated by a pot bellied stove which sat in the
center of the church and the first ones to arrive on Sunday Morning started a
fire in the stove. This building served as the church building until 1956 when
the present building was erected.

The first piano was purchased,
used, in 1937 according to the Kennedy Family who were the church musicians(Mrs
Ila Kennedy and her daughters Mrs. Argo Emerson and Mrs. Argalis (Arby)
Chandler) for several years.

Until the piano was purchased, the church used a pump organ
which was sold when the piano was purchased. In 1965, the Shermans purchased a
new Kimball Piano and donated it to the church in memory of Mrs. Sherman’s
Father, Warren H. Carpenter.

The old piano was sold to Earnest and Ethylene Brown who
still has the piano (2003).

The first parsonage was built by Rev. Levie near Gravel
Springs School. This was a frame house with 6 rooms (living, Dining, Kitchen
and 3 bedrooms) a front porch and a back porch. This parsonage was in bad
repair and a new one was built in 1962 about a mile south of the old parsonage
on land donated by Odell and Olivia Holley. This parsonage cost $8000.00 and
was a fine one for it’s day, considering what most other people in the community
had. This parsonage was a brick structure consisting of living room, dining
room/kitchen combination, 3 bedrooms and a study, a small porch was placed on
the front and a 2 car carport on the east end of the building. This parsonage
is still in use and in good repair (2003).

Before the 1920’s, John Reid carried his eating table for
two miles to church to be used as a communion table.

During the pastorate of Rev. D. W. Akins, the building that
was erected in 1927 was torn down and construction on a new building was begun.
The old Shottsville School House, which had been closed since 1948 and had been
returned to the Shotts Family was donated to the church by Cleveland and Madge
Shotts to be torn down and used in the construction of the new church. This
building had 3 very large rooms. The wing which had two rooms was torn down for
the construction of the new church and the east wing which consisted of one room
was left standing and the church met in this room until the new church was
completed. Jim Clayton was hired as carpenter and the remainder of the labor
was provided by members of the church and community. The only real material
cost was for the basement. Hertis Cayson constructed the basement laying the
cement blocks and pouring the cement floor. The congregation decided the new
church needed new pews and Arnt Kemp was hired to construct the new pews on
site. These pews were used until 1985 when during the pastorate of Rev J. R.
Aycock, the church decided to by new pews. These pews were completely funded by
memorial gifts (Families buying a pew in memory of their loved ones). These
pews and 10 choir chairs cost approximately $8,500.00. This building has a
30’X50’ Sanctuary with a steeple and bell, a full basement with fellowship hall
and three Sunday School Rooms.

The building was dedicated on August 19, 1956 by Bishop
Claire Purcell. Until the dedication of this building, the church was
officially known in the North Alabama Conference as “New Bethel”. At the
dedication ceremony, the name was officially changed to Shottsville Methodist
Church.

In 1974, an addition was made to the back of the church
which contained a kitchen and restrooms. This addition was constructed by Rev.
O. D. Eddleman with help from members of the church John Taylor, H. T. Shotts,
Harley Belcher and others as they had time away from their jobs.

A deed dated June 21, 1909 executed by Mack and Lucendia
Shotts conveyed one-half acre of land to the Methodist Episcopal Church South
for a church building. The church stood on this land until 1927 when Tilman L.
and Eliza Jane Shotts donated one acre of land for the church building. The
present building stands on this land.

The oldest living member of Shottsville United Methodist
Church is Mrs. Etta Maddox who is 105 years of age at this writing (1997). Mrs.
Etta Maddox (Born April 6, 1892) passed away in May 2001 at the age of 109 and
is buried in the Shottsville Cemetery.

The church membership and especially the Ladies Prayer
Circle, decided a new sanctuary was needed. The old church had some flaws which
were showing up more and more. The basement had a good bit of water in it each
time it rained, the walls in the basement had begun to crack and shift and this
can be seen by the cracks in the brick on the outside.

In the late 1990’s a fund was established for a new
sanctuary and the Ladies Prayer Circle began to have fund raisers. By early
2002. the fund had grown to $30,000.00. Reverend Curtis Sutton, pastor of Happy
Hill Church of God, was asked to give an estimate of the cost of a new
Sanctuary. At a meeting in late 2001, Rev. Sutton estimated that he could build
a new building 30’ wide by 80’ long for $100,000.00 or less.
A charge Conference involving
only Shottsville Church was held on February 21, 2002 with Rev. Bill Prickett,
the Jasper District Superintendent, presiding to authorize the building of the
new sanctuary. The foundation of the new sanctuary was built the week before
the 3rd Sunday in May 2002. The actual building on the foundation
began on August 26, 2002. As was authorized by the Charge Conference, The
Trustees borrowed $70,000.00 from First National Bank of Hamilton, Alabama for
the construction. Several changes were made in the original design. The
original design had no windows in the side walls of the sanctuary. This was
changed to have five stained glass windows on each side of the sanctuary with
these windows being placed in an arched configuration. These windows were
completely funded by memorial donations being made in memory of loved ones.

A steeple was added which was not in the original design.
This steeple was purchased from Fiberglass Unlimited in Roanoak, Alabama for
$5,200.00 which included all set up costs. The foyer was changed to an “L”
shape connecting to the hallway to the old sanctuary. A Baptistry was added and
was purchased from Aqua Glass out from Russellville, Alabama for $1,685.00
including pump and heater.

After several delays due to the windows not being ready,
the stained glass windows arrived and was installed on January 8, 2003. After
the windows were in, finish work proceeded well and the restroom fixtures were
installed, floor covering was installed and the furniture was moved from the old
sanctuary to the new sanctuary. The first service was held in the new sanctuary
on February 16, 2003 ( The 3rd Sunday in February).

The first singing was held on March 29, 2003 and consisted
of “The Pharrs” and “Rocky Ewing and Chosen Few” in concert. We had a good
crowd for this singing.

The new Sanctuary has a foyer with restrooms and a pastors
study opening off the foyer and the foyer connecting to the old sanctuary by a
hallway. The new sanctuary is 30’X60’ and has two rooms up front on either side
of the choir loft and a baptistery under the large stained glass window behind
the choir loft.

Sage Green Carpet was chosen for the floor covering in the
Sanctuary and matching green tile for the foyer. The old pews were re-covered
in green material to match the floor covering. The cost of re-covering the
pews, including fabric, was $2,588.00.

The pews were set at a slight angle in the new sanctuary so
everyone could be facing the pulpit directly. The piano was placed so the sound
board faces out into the church instead on against a wall and it sounds much
better.

The Church
was Consecrated/Dedicated to the service of God on Sunday, April 6, 2003.

The Jasper District Superintendent, Rev. Audie Hodges,
officiated at the dedication. There was a large crowd in attendance. Many
relatives of people who once attended the church and are now gone on to be with
the lord came to the dedication.

Many items have been donated to the church in memory of
loved ones during this building program. Flags (United States & Christian) and
Flower Stands have been donated by the children of Velma Shotts & Sanders
Williams and the Children and Grand Children of Woodie and Maude Shotts. A
foyer table, lamps and mirror was donated by the children of Neely and Flarce
Shotts. A table and angel candlesticks for the sanctuary were donated by Larry
and Beth Jefferys. A water cooler was donated by Osevil Holland. Side Sconces
for the sanctuary were donated by Ruble & La,Vale Mills, Michelle Mills and
Matt, Dawn & Anna Wilemon. The large Chandelier was donated by the Children of
Roberta Goggans, Jane, Sheri, Edsel & Maurice. Bibles for the pews were donated
by Estelle Kennedy and the Piano Lamp was donated by Anna Wilemon.

In addition to the above gifts, all the stained glass
windows were donated by:

From the time of the Authorization to build the church
(February 2002) until the dedication of the church (April 2003), the building
fund had doubled to $60,000.00.

The lord has wonderfully blessed us.

The old building, including additions, is still being
used. The fellowship hall has been moved upstairs to the old sanctuary and as
time and money permits, the kitchen will be moved also. The building will,
also, be used as a recreation building. Tables and chairs can be folded and
moved aside in the fellowship hall to accommodate recreation and the basement
can be used for recreation, Sunday School and other things.

The first Funeral held in the new sanctuary was for Ardecie
Cason. The funeral took place on August 17, 2003, the third Sunday in August at
2 PM with the church pastor, Rev. Paul Plumb, officiating. The church choir
sang “If I could hear my mother pray again”, “Precious Memories”,” In the
Garden” and “How Great Thou Art”.

The first revival in the new sanctuary began the third
Sunday in August 2003 (August 17, 2003) with Rev. Ricky Smith being the
evangalist. The revival started with a fellowship meal in the fellowship hall
at 5:30 PM followed by Revival Services at 7 PM each evening through Wednesday,
August 20, 2003. The first Baptism in the New Sanctuary and in the New
Baptistry occurred on Sunday Evening, September 21, 2003 when Donald McKinney
was baptized into the church membership and Prince Gann and his daughter, Kay
Gann from the Bexar Church were Baptised.

PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED SHOTTSVILLE CHURCH

NAMEDATE APPOINTEDDATE REMOVED

Ulysis Thompson
1863 1865

G. F. Gurley
1865 1867

Turner
1867 1868

Shelton
1868 1869

J. B. Bulk
1869 1871

D. W. Ward
1871 1872

U. M. Williams
1872 1873

G. B. Wilson
1873 1875

C. M. Livingston
1875 1877

E. F. K. Roberts
1877 1880

J. F. Miller
1880 1881

W. A. Randell
1881 1882

R. A. Spears
1882 1885

G. M. Duncan
1885 1887

C. M. Reece
1887 1888

John D. Arnold
1888 1889

C. M. Rice
1889 1890

E. M. Emmison
1890 1891

P. P. Riley
1891 1892

W. A. Montgomery
1892 1893

J. W. Cowden
1893 1894

W. L. Hendricks
1894 1895

W. A. Blevens
1895 1896

S. B. Smith
1896 1897

L. J. Bagwell
1897 1898

H. B. Ralls
1898 1899

J. H. Jennings
1899 1900

C. M. Rice
1900 1903

J. R. Fullerton
1903 1905

E. D. Thommason
1905 1907

J. N. Davidson
1907 1909

S. L. Prickett
1909 1911

G. G. Grimes
1911 1913

W. A. Tiffin
1913 1916

Josh A. Gann, Jr.
1916 1917

Thomas Barkley
1917 1918

Bennie F. Tingle
1918 1919

W. W. Levie
1919 1922

C. G. Martin
1922 1923

R. E. Meigs
1923 1923

T. N. Chandler
1923 1924

W. W. Aldridge
1924 1925

PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED SHOTTSVILLE CHURCH

NAMEDATE APPOINTEDDATE REMOVED

T. A. Hancock
1925 1928

L. G. Alverson
1928 1930

F. F. Lister
1930 1932

A. D. Wilson
1932 1934

Ben H. Seay
1934 1936

J. E. Harris
1936 1937

J. T. Lane
1937 1938

James Elliott
1938 1939

L. E. Beasley
1939 1940

A. M. Jones
1940 1943

J. P. McDurmont
1943 1943

A. W. Gregg
1943 1946

W. J. Pennigar
1946 1948

J. H. Brown
1948 1950

J. L. B. McGill
1950 1952

L. B. Warren
1952 1954

D. W. Akins
1954 1956

A. L. Vance
1956 1957

M. L. Pitts
1957 1958

E. O. Hinkle
1958 1960

R. L. Lott
1960 1962

O. M. Jones, Jr.
1962 1963

H. J. Hardy
1963 1966

H. J.
Abney
1966 1968 Died on Charge

J. O.
Weathers
1968 1969

W. R.
Simpson 1969 1970

O. D. Eddleman
1970 1975

George
Doss
1975 1976

Glen
Mayfield
1976 1977

Carl R.
Long
1977 1979

B. H.
King
1979 1982

J. R. Aycock
1982 1987

Charles
Richey 1987 1990

Malcolm
Barrett
1990 1991

Wayne
Blankenship
1991 1994

James N. Baccus
1994 1997

Ricky
Smith
1997 2000

Brian
Bradley
2000 2001 left ministry

Paul Plumb
2001

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